Comets Complete Thrilling Fourth-Quarter Comeback Over Rockets
The Comets showcased incredible resilience in a stunning 38-32 come-from-behind victory over the Underwood Rockets on Friday night. Trailing by ten points at the end of the third quarter, the Comets capitalized on Underwood’s miscues and executed a near-flawless fourth quarter, scoring 16 unanswered points to secure the win.
The game began with Underwood's Drew Evavold dominating the first half. Evavold led the Rockets with multiple rushing touchdowns, including a 9-yard score and successful conversions that saw the Rockets jump out to an early 8-0 lead. Hillcrest responded late in the first quarter when quarterback Ethan Swedberg connected with Drew Fischer for a 16-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 8-6.
In the second quarter, Underwood maintained pressure with another rushing touchdown from Collin Lukken. Despite the Rockets extending their lead to 16-6, the Comets found a spark in Trey Swedenberg. Trey’s 31-yard touchdown run and a successful 3-yard conversion brought Hillcrest back within two points at 14-16. However, Evavold struck again before halftime, pushing the score to 24-14.
The second half saw the Comets begin to claw their way back despite Underwood’s persistent offensive attack. Trey Swedenberg continued his dominant performance with a 1-yard touchdown run early in the third, keeping Hillcrest within striking distance at 22-32. As the fourth quarter loomed, the Comets’ defense, led by Luke McGuire and Xander Knutson, tightened up, preventing further damage from Underwood.
It was in the fourth quarter that Hillcrest's resolve truly shone. With the Rockets struggling to maintain their composure, the Comets pounced. Swedberg orchestrated a brilliant 8-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Blaskowski, cutting the Rockets' lead to 32-28. Then, Swedenberg followed up with a crucial 3-yard conversion to make it 30-32, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The Comets' defense held tough, forcing a crucial stop on Underwood’s next possession. With time winding down, Swedberg once again connected with Blaskowski, this time for a 12-yard touchdown, giving Hillcrest the lead for the first time since the opening quarter. Swedberg’s final act was a 3-yard rushing conversion to cap the scoring at 38-32.
The Comets’ ability to capitalize on Underwood's miscues, combined with their refusal to give up, was the defining factor in this hard-fought victory. With over 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Swedenberg, along with a balanced passing attack led by Swedberg's three touchdown passes, Hillcrest emerged victorious after a night of intense back-and-forth action.